You are here

Farewell Brother Preston Roberts

Posted: July 26, 2017

We wish there were a different reason for this message. We wish we could walk away from writing it. And yet, we are humbled and honored to know just how many hearts this sad news will break, for it speaks to the power a single good man can have in this world.

On July 24th, 2017 at 3:30pm, Preston James Roberts passed peacefully away in the arms of his wife Kathleen, surrounded by family and loved ones. Preston had a large inoperable tumor on his liver that obstructed the flow of blood and oxygen to his organs and body. The change was rapid and outpaced any treatment -- just three weeks ago he was teaching at Boys Camp. While the suddenness of his departure is shocking, we draw some consolation from the fact that his last days were full of family and friends instead of drawn-out suffering.

There is no replacing a human life, and the specialness of Preston as teacher, mentor, builder, friend, artist, elder, inspiration, dancer, leader, and solid rock foundation leaves a chasm in our community. Preston was as practical as he was creative, and over any abyss he would find a way to build a bridge whose quality was matched only by its beauty. He lived for summer camp, and his life and spirit are infused all over Turtle Island, in the buildings, the ceremonies, the land, and the misty mountain air itself. Help us build a bridge and honor his life by ensuring that Turtle Island camps continue far into the future, whether that means lighting a candle on December 24th, sponsoring a camper, or lending a hand in one of the many building projects Preston had planned for the upcoming year.

Preston's family is currently planning burial and memorial services, and we will reach out with more information as it develops. In the meantime, please consider supporting Preston's family in their time of grief.

We leave you with Preston's words from this past year's holiday message to campers:

"It's cold this morning, the sun is just peeking its head above the mountain. I wonder what it is like at Morning Watch this morning? I wish I was there, this moment, curled in a thick wool blanket, watching the light, birds, and in my minds eye I am there, with you and the others that have carried your stone and placed it in that sacred circle of stones. In my minds eye I can sail through the trees, past the tree-house, classroom, the gazebo and your shoes, over the patch on the barn roof, over the spot we plan to build a traditional carpentry shop, sweeping high into the cold air alongside a raven, looking at the place we love below and wishing for it to continue forever..."

Preston was a great person. I only had contact with him through email however, he willingly shared information with me regarding knife making. I learned information from him that was great and I don't think that I could have been happier.

My condolences. I am deeply saddened to learn that Mr. Roberts has passed. I only know of him from the show and he made an impression on me as a wise, patient, and highly skilled person with a lot of knowledge to share.

What an outstanding individual. We are so happy we got to learn of him thru the History Channel. Every now and then we lose someone of his worth. July 24, 2017 was such a day. He remains alive in our memories for the ages, however. Condolences to his family, including Eustace whom we also value for many of the same reasons.

Preston was a really good friend of mind i watch is show when it first came on he taught me so much about working the land on turtle island and responsible of the tools he used i will truly missed my friend and pray for family and friend HE WAS A GOOD MAN I HOPE HE RIP MY FRIEND

May God hold you all in His arms through this heartbreaking time. May Preston Rejoice In Heaven within the great presence of our Lord and Savior. To Eustace, I am so very sorry for the loss of your best friend. We all grew to love him through a T.V., but you have loved him like your own brother for decades. May God hold you close and comfort you as you sadly go through this tremendous loss. My love, thoughts, and prayers are with you all.

I am so sad to hear of our dear friend we all know and love by watching "Mountain Men". Such a loss to all who enjoyed the human feel of the program and the love of two friends working together and enjoying every minute of life together. The program will not be the same but our memories of the two of you will be forever with us. God bless Eustice and Preston's family, we are sending up prayers of comfort for all of you

Too young, too soon. We will miss Preston. Our prayers and thoughts go out to the Roberts family. He was a good ole boy and you can't get much better than that. Rest in peace now for you are in God's palm.

At the end of my DVR recording of mountain men, I saw that Preston had passed away. I was so deeply saddened, and shocked to learn of this devastating news. I can say that I so enjoyed watching Preston, and his knowledge of doing what he loved to do was so over the top. My heart goes out to his family, and all that knew him. May God give each and every person the peace that passeth all understanding, knowing that he's with our precious Lord Jesus Christ. God bless you all !!!

Very much saddened at his loss! Have watched Mountain Men for a couple of years and Eustace along with Preston are the most fun and instructional to watch. God Bless the family, may He keep them and keep the legacy of Preston alive.

Ihave been a big fan of the Mountain Men TV show since it first aired and my favorites were Eustace and Preston. Their friendship just sparkled and glowed in the series and they both worked well together and had a wonderful sense of humor. I am sorry to the Roberts family that you lost him so early in life and may your memories of him keep him alive in your hearts. And, to Euetace, I feel for your loss of a wonderful, lifelong friend, who, no doubt was cherished like a brother. His memorybwill always live on at Turtle Island.

Heaven's gain is our loss. What an exceptional and inspirational man in these times that good men are harder to find. His legacy will live on and his walk on the pathway of earth was too short but what huge footprints he left! May God comfort and strengthen his family and all of his friends. Praying for you all in the days and weeks ahead as you move on with your lives with such a huge hole in your hearts. I smile thinking of all those that had gone ahead of Preston waiting with open arms when he walked through those pearly gates.

Very big fan of the show! My condolences to to everyone. Godspeed Mr. Roberts! Euctace please hang in there! Even though there will not be another Preston I hope you will find help to continue with Turtle Island! May God Bless you and America.

Was shocked when we saw the In memory of Preston at the end of the show. Didn't even know he was sick. He never showed it on the show. He will definitely be missed. Preston and Eustace were our favorites on the Mountain Men. May his soul rest in peace in the hands of Our Lord. Our sympathy goes out to his family and Eustace.

We were deeply saddened to hear about Preston. A precious life of an obviously decent man that shared his many talents with grace to others. He will be sorely missed. Prayers are going out for Kathleen,Eustace and his family.

I was shocked and deeply saddened when I saw the "In Memory" regarding Preston's death. I've watched Mountain Men since the very first show and Eustace and Preston are my absolute favorites. I loved all the things that each of them did and taught. I could see they were best friends and both held "the old way" of doing things in high regard and I as a viewer appreciated seeing them doing this. I remember that my parents and grandparents were raised up the same way and both my dad and grandpa had some of the same equipment and tools. They even had a sawmill using the same type saw and at one time made a good living with it. They fell their own trees and used horses, wagons and sleds to get them to the sawmill area.

My deepest condolences go out to the Roberts family, friends and Eustace since Preston was like a brother to him....that was plain to see. It was evident what a good man he was and I will miss seeing him on my tv and soaking up all his wise lessons. May God bless you all.

fan of show since day one, didn't like euctace or preston at first, but grew to really like preston, because he had what i deemed was great thoughts on life and being happy in life, we should all be so lucky, to have his attitude.thanks PRESTON! R.I.P. BRO.

I suppose this message would be directed to Eustis, as a child I grew up watching and Old Sawmill that ran on Steam and a lot of it is still in my soul and in my blood I admire you and I admired Preston expecially him,he was a very strong man and liked a blow stuff up. ( especially big rocks)
And my tour service I was a demolition expert I worked with landmines, C4, Claymores and so much more.I learned how to work on a rotary lawn mower from my grandfather and 4-H club there will never be another Preston God bless and rest in peace

I just watched this weeks episode and like so many saw at the end that Preston had passed away. I did not see that coming. I am very saddened by his loss. While I only knew him on the show I had respect and admiration for the way he was. My thoughts and prayers to all his family and friends. It is true that the good ones die too young. RIP Paulette

Like North Carolina State beating the Houston Cougars. Unbelievable to see that Preston had passed away. Add our names to the list that took a genuine liking to him. Eustace and Preston was our favorite mountain men. They possessed old world skills and ingenuity. They made the world feel right and uncomplicated. Preston was undaunting. Truly our emotions are evident for his passing which are rarely attached to another human being. Celebrities, politicians, etc get lavish ceremonies, but not the true heartfelt emotions for Preston. Unbelievable....

the signs have been there. the bird of sorrow was persistent today. we were so sorry to learn of the death of Mr. Preston Roberts. it seems like he had an old soul from a young age. please give our condolences to his family and friends---thank him and them for his service and know our thoughts and prayers for strength will be with you all.

Like everyone else I was shocked to see the memorial at the end of this weeks episode. Although the parts of the show that involved Preston seemed to be all about Eustace paying off his loan I couldn't help but admire Preston for being there for his friend. Though I don't care for Eustace, I will really miss Preston. I didn't know him personally but it was obvious that he was a kind and generous soul. God bless him and his family. He will be missed. RIP

I'm very saddened to learn of Preston passing on. I really loved watching him and Eustace together on the show. I will be thinking and praying for Eustace, and all of the family and friends of Preston.

I am so sad to hear about Preston. I only know him from tv, but I feel like I lost a friend. The people that actually know him now have a huge void in their life. He was so smart and knowledgeable, and it sounds like he has passed down a lot of his wisdom to others. In that, Preston will live on forever in our hearts and our minds. Rest In Peace Preston. You have left us too soon. My deepest sympathy for all of his family and friends. God bless you all.

My husband and I have watched Mountain Men since it first aired and as many here have already expressed the friendship of Preston and Eustace have been top of the show for us both. This news has been shocking and deeply affecting as it sinks in more and more. I knew him not but felt as though I knew his heart as his authenticity shined through the camera and across our television screen. Our heartfelt condolences as well as prayers of love, support and strength go out to all of his family and friends.

My 10 year old grandson is so worried about Eustace as he lost his BEST FRIEND. He has a best friend and I think this is the first time the word "loss"has true meaning for him. May peace and understanding make us all aware of the many blessings Preston brought to the table of life.